Jubilation as Hungerford Primary School gets Ofsted boost

School upgraded to 'good' under 'effective, determined' head

TEACHERS, parents and pupils at Hungerford Primary School are celebrating this week after national watchdog Ofsted raised its rating to ‘good’.

Previously it had been deemed to require improvement.

The new Ofsted report, published on Tuesday, notes that headteacher Gerry Heaton took over just days before the previous inspection and added: “Since then he has led the school effectively and with quiet determination and a clear vision.”

The report goes on: “Senior leaders, governors and other school leaders have worked together supporting the headteacher and sharing his drive for school improvement.

“The governing body is holding the school to account effectively.

“It uses the individual skills of its governors intelligently in order to support and challenge the school.”

It continues: “Teaching throughout the school is now ‘good’ with the assessment of pupils’ progress a strength.

“This is leading to improving outcomes for all pupils.

“Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school and are quick to note the improvements made since the date of the previous inspection.”

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In addition, the report states: “Initiatives such as the school’s marking logs have made a significant impact in the way pupils’ work is assessed and how future lessons are carefully matched to the pupils’ learning needs.

“The school has begun to share this excellent practice with other local schools.”

Mr Heaton, who spearheaded the intense, two-year programme to improve the school, said: “We’re thrilled that the inspectors agreed with our own self-evaluations and we were graded as ‘good’ in all categories, with our Foundation Stage, leadership and management and our caring ethos coming out as particular strengths.

“The comments of the inspectors and the report reflect the huge journey the school has undertaken since our last inspection in January 2014 and we are very grateful for the incredible hard work and achievements of the entire school staff and the children and also for the continuing positivity and support of you, our parents and carers.”

He said the school was now working towards an ‘outstanding’ rating.

The inspectors noted that the local authority, West Berkshire Council, has worked in close partnership with the school.

Education portfolio holder, Dominic Boeck (Con, Aldermaston), said: “I’m very pleased that Hungerford Primary School has been recognised as a good school.

“I congratulate the whole school community on this good report.”